A mahogany bookcase, second quarter 18th century, of 'Pepysian' type, the moulded pediment above a pair of glass panelled doors opening to adjustable shelves, the pair of lower twin panelled doors opening to a shelved interior, on bracket feet, 233cm high, 130cm wide, 45cm deep An unusual feature of this bookcase is that the profile of the glazing bars of the upper section has also been used to bisect the panels of the lower section. The profile of the thick glazing bars also suggests dating the bookcase to the second quarter of the 18th century. The same profile of glazing bars is present to the windows of several Spitalfields houses of the period. In addition the use of mahogany is evident in the construction of the documented staircase at 4-6 Fournier Street, Spitalfields. Mahogany was also known to have been used at Houghton Hall and various churches at this early period. For further discussion and evidence of the early mahogany trade and use of the timber, See Adam Bowett, The English mahogany trade 1700-1793, thesis, 1996.